Journey of a Muslim

Every needs and wants of a student is offered in Newcastle University. From an outstanding sport centre (with gymnasium and sports massage clinic!!) to our own 'Northern Stage' for local stage performances, you can never be bored! Varities of clubs/societies can always help you laid out your extra-curricular activities! We also have SCAN, an organization that assists you to volunteer in all sorts of fields throughout the Tyne and Wear region.

Hey, if you like books and reading, don't be disheartened! Newcastle University has an award-winning Robinson library; and Walton library for all medical sciences books.

On top of those, we have countless (i.e it's so many i lost count of them) 24-hour computer clusters; so, no reasons of late submission of assignments if your laptop broke down (unfortunately). For more, learning support can also be accessed from your own bedroom; we have Blackboard and RAS system that makes your lecture notes always accessible.

We can also equip you for your future career by offering award-winning service that includes resume writing consultation and recruitment fare.

There's so many things else and you have to come and experience yourself.

Basically, all first year students are guaranteed with university accomodations. If you are a medical sciences students, Castle Leazes, Richardson Road and Marris House would be really good. It is like 5-10-min walk away from school which is brilliant!

These accomodations may cost a bit more than private rented house, but you'll get endless fast internet, endless electricity, endless gas, endless water, security and most of all, a great chance to have local (British) friends! You'll get to learn bits of the British culture and they may learns Islam and our Malaysian culture too.

Unfortunately, by second year, we all have to move out and find our own place. Usually, Malaysians tend to rent a house in Arthur's Hill/Fenham where halal food is readily available. The city centre is 20-min walk away too which is quite near.

There's no difficulty at all in practising Islam here. In fact, it is remarkably beautiful to see people from various countries/cultures praying together in the University Mosque and breaking fast together during Ramadan. University Mosque is at the edge of city centre and also the university so we have no difficulty for performing solah during the day.

On top of that, the biggest shopping centre in Newcastle offers 'quiet room' where you can perform solah easily.

So, life as a muslim is no more different than in Malaysia. Brothers can still join the congregation prayer (solat berjemaah) in the mosques all around Newcastle. Sisters usually have their congregation prayers together at home, nonetheless, sisters are common to join the Friday prayer (solat Jumaat) which is really a great experience.

Not enough with that, there are all sorts of study circles (usrah) going on in Newcastle; from Malaysian study circle to university Islamic Society ones, they make you feel at home and we feel everyone like one big family. You'll learn how to practice Islam meaningfully in this foreign land.

What's more, halal food is everywhere; even Nandos and KFC are halal. You can choose from indian food to chinese and japanese food and for most our Malaysian food at Rasa Nusantara Cafe!

Grocery wise, you will not miss Maggi for sure, Habhal soy sauce and Milo! You do not really have to bring any food from Malaysia except 'ikan bilis', 'udang kering' and 'lada kering'.

Malaysians here are very close to one another; we often do activities together. We have Raya celebrations!

We have organizations like Balai Malaysia, Malaysian Society and so on which are always helpful even on your first day in Newcastle. If you like kids and sharing knowledge, we have 'Sekolah Balai' where undergraduate students have the opportunity to have fun with children.

In simpler word, you will always feel welcomed and belonged to the 'big family' of Malaysians here.

Well, you can bring the basic stuff like 'telekung' or 'kain pelikat' and 'sejadah', quran, rice cooker, and for the start all the instant mix or 'perencah' can be really handy!

What else, it's nothing really. Just bring your enthusiasm and maybe some tokens from your home in Malaysia to remind you of your family.